Bang drilling machine with bang holder

Abstract

The present invention provides a bung perforator for removing the anal opening and rectum end of an animal carcass by cutting around the anal opening and rectum end, the bung perforator including an elongated perforation tube having an open cutting end, a mandrel centrally located within the perforation tube, and a bung holder located within the perforation tube and surrounding the mandrel. When removing the anal opening and rectum end of the carcass, contamination of the hide and meat surfaces with feces becomes a problem. The bung holder, located within the perforation tube, provides a holding force to the hide surface around the anal opening and creates a volume to catch feces exiting the intestine.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bung driller for perforating and releasing the bung or rectal end of a carcass of an animal, such as a pig. [Background technology]

[0002] When processing the carcasses of slaughtered animals, e.g. pigs, it is important to avoid or significantly reduce the risk of contamination of the meat with stomach and intestinal material, such as faeces. The attachment of the intestines to the skin at the anal opening may be cut and the end of the intestine (rectal end) may be treated, e.g. closed, during further processing of the carcass until the viscera are completely freed and removed from the carcass. A bung perforator may be used to cut the skin and underlying structures around the anal opening.

[0003] Bang perforators may include a cutting blade at the tip of a drilling tube, with a mandrel centrally located within the drilling tube. When functioning, the tip of the mandrel is placed into the bung (the anal opening and part of the rectum) and the cutting blade cuts around the anal opening and rectal end. There are various types of bang perforators.

[0004] WO2013119106(A1) describes a rectum cutting device, which includes a cutting member rotatably mounted on a carrier member, the cutting member having a cylindrical wall portion surrounding an internal space and having an upper end with a cutting edge, a centering mandrel arranged coaxially within the cylindrical wall portion whose free end reaches beyond the cutting edge, a rotation drive means for rotating the cutting member relative to the conveying member, an ejection member axially movable within the internal space of the cutting member, and an ejection drive means for axially moving the ejection member, and a suction means for evacuating the internal space of the cutting member. In the cutting step, the cutting member is activated and rotated to cut the tissue around the rectum end. In the process, the conveying member is moved to move the cutting member deeper into the tissue. During cutting, the suction means maintains a vacuum in the internal space of the cutting member, which is transferred to the outer internal space portion by air sucked through a flexible membrane. The cut and separated part of the rectum end is thereby sucked to the outer part of the internal space. This cutting process is continued until the rectal end has been cut and separated along its entire length.

[0005] The vacuum in the prior art bung perforation process is used to provide a holding force for the hide in the cutting device so that the knife can cut into the hide, thereby preventing the perforation tube from pushing the hide instead of cutting into it. However, the vacuum effect can cause the anus to open or evert, allowing feces to be released from the rectum and contact the perianal hide, from which microorganisms can be spread, increasing the risk of contamination of the meat. Summary of the Invention

[0006] It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved bung piercing device, in particular for reducing the risk of contamination, such as by reducing eversion of the anal opening. It is a further object of embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved method of separating the bung from the carcass.

[0007] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a bang perforator for cutting off the anal opening and the rectal end of a carcass by cutting around said opening and said rectal end, said bang perforator comprising: - an elongated perforated tube having an open cut end and capable of holding a pressure differential relative to the outside; - a mandrel centrally located within the perforated tube; - a bung holder located within the perforated tube and surrounding at least a portion of the mandrel;

[0008] The carcass may be of any animal, preferably slaughtered in an abattoir. The animal may be, for example, pig, poultry, bull / cow, goat, sheep, etc. Preferably, the bung piercer is for pig carcasses.

[0009] The perforated tube can maintain a pressure difference relative to the outside, meaning that when the perforated tube comes into contact with the carcass, a pressure difference is created between the volume inside and outside the perforated tube and such a pressure difference can be maintained. To establish such a pressure difference, the perforated tube may be "intact" or airtight, meaning that there are no openings or incisions in the tube body (tube wall), but the perforated tube may be able to maintain a pressure difference relative to the outside even if there are small openings or incisions in the wall of the perforated tube, such incisions may be located at the cutting edge, making the cutting edge more effective. The pressure difference can be obtained, for example, by applying a vacuum inside the perforated tube. By being able to maintain a pressure difference, the perforated tube can also define a volume that can prevent contaminants from leaving the volume inside the perforated tube.

[0010] At the forward end of the perforated tube, the cutting edge preferably includes an annular cutting edge that is intact or unbroken, e.g., not serrated.

[0011] In one embodiment, the bung holder is circular or cup-shaped around the mandrel and has an overall outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the perforated tube. In a further embodiment, there is a space between the outer diameter of the bung holder and the inner diameter of the perforated tube, which results in a space between the outside of the bung holder with a portion of the mandrel on one side and the inside of the perforated tube on the other side. In a preferred embodiment, the bung holder does not have openings towards the inside of the perforated tube over its entire surface. The bung holder is open in the area towards the open cut end of the perforated tube. The bung holder preferably provides an internal volume separate from the remaining volume of the interior of the perforated tube, thereby providing two different volumes that can surround possible contaminants, in particular reducing the diffusion of contaminants from the volume inside the bung holder to the interior of the perforated tube.

[0012] In one embodiment, the bung holder has a retaining means that can engage with the outside of the carcass. The retaining means may be located at the end of the cup-shaped bung holder, i.e. between the closed and open parts of the bung holder. The retaining means of the bung holder is engageable with the outside of the carcass, i.e. the area of ​​the skin around the anal opening of the carcass. The retaining means of the bung holder is capable of holding the skin so that it does not rotate when the bung perforator perforates the skin and the carcass where the perforation process applies a rotational force to the skin surface. Another function of the retaining means is to prevent the anal opening of the carcass from everting, for example when a vacuum may be created in the perforation tube during perforation. Thereby at least the majority of the feces is retained in the rectum. In another embodiment, the retaining means of the bung holder includes teeth or other structures that can engage with the skin surface of the carcass. The function of the teeth is to obtain a good grip of the skin and not to cut into the skin except for any cutting to obtain a good grip. The teeth may have any shape suitable for engaging the skin of the carcass, for example a pointed shape.

[0013] In one embodiment, the bung holder is configured to rotate around the mandrel. In another embodiment, the bung holder can slide axially within the drilling tube. The bung holder can preferably rotate relative to the drilling tube and can be non-rotating during the drilling process. In a preferred embodiment, the bung holder and the mandrel are connected so that they can slide axially within the drilling tube. This allows the bung holder to be located in a fixed position along the length of the mandrel, but still allows the bung holder to slide around the mandrel.

[0014] In one embodiment, the bung holder is airtight towards the inside of the perforation tube, whereby the bung holder defines a first volume inside the bung holder, which first volume may be a closed volume when the retaining means engages the outside of the carcass. Thus, the bung perforator may be configured with a first volume located between the outside of the carcass skin, the outside of the mandrel, and the inside of the bung holder. This first volume surrounds the mandrel just outside the anal opening and a portion of the carcass skin surrounding the anal opening. In one embodiment of the bung perforator, the circular mandrel is a rod or tube with a closed end or tip located towards or in the area of ​​the open end of the perforation tube. The mandrel may be moved axially along the perforation tube such that the closed end or tip is located inside or in front of the perforation tube. In another embodiment, the mandrel is hollow and has openings in the area of ​​the closed end, e.g., between the closed end of the mandrel and the bung holder, e.g., between the closed end of the mandrel and the portion of the bung holder that constitutes the boundary towards the inside of the perforated tube, and the openings may be located along the mandrel and / or within the first volume of the bung holder. In one embodiment, the mandrel has an unfilled or open interior volume and openings in at least a portion of the area towards the closed end. It is preferred that no openings are located at the outermost end or tip of the mandrel, e.g., within the outermost 0.5 cm, 1 cm, 1.5 cm, or 2 cm.

[0015] In one embodiment of the bung perforator, the mandrel is connected to suction means for creating a vacuum in a first volume of the bung holder and / or in a second volume of the perforation tube when the bung perforator is functioning. The second volume is the volume between the outside of the bung holder and the inside of the perforation tube, i.e. between the bung holder and the perforation tube. The vacuum in the second volume may also be created by suction means inside the perforation tube. The suction means may suck air from inside the mandrel and / or from inside the perforation tube and / or from inside the bung holder, thus creating a vacuum.

[0016] An air valve may be disposed in the bung holder between a first volume in the bung holder and a second volume in the perforated tube. Such an air valve may, for example, draw air containing contaminants from the first volume to the second volume, or from the second volume into the interior volume of the mandrel. The direction of air flow through the air valve disposed in the bung holder may be determined by the position of suction means connected to the mandrel for drawing air from the volume inside the mandrel, or suction means connected to the perforated tube for drawing air from the second volume.

[0017] In one embodiment, the openings of the mandrel are made so that they are located in the area located inside the bung holder, i.e. in the first volume and directed towards the intestinal or rectal end of the carcass to be treated. Preferably, the outer extremity of the mandrel does not include any openings.

[0018] In one embodiment, the openings are arranged along a region of the mandrel, such as arranged in a ring-like position around the mandrel. The openings may be arranged along the mandrel, for example in a region near the front end, and there may be 2-10, for example 6 ring-like positions, such as 4-8, for example 5-7, of the ring-like positions having openings. Each ring-like position may include 4-8 openings, for example 6 openings. The size of the openings may be determined depending on the type of carcass to be processed. A gripping effect of the end of the intestine or rectum is obtained when a vacuum is established and a vacuum within the bung holder, i.e. the first volume, may also be formed.

[0019] Bang punches for processing animal carcasses are known to those skilled in the art. Thus, those skilled in the art are aware that the materials of the different units of the bang punch are preferably materials, such as metals, approved for use in slaughterhouses, and that the materials can be cleaned frequently, such as after each use. Parts and units of the bang punch, such as the bearings, may be made of polymeric materials. The overall design and function of the bang punch is known and does not need to be described here.

[0020] A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for debridement around the anal opening and rectal end of an animal carcass by cutting around the anal opening and rectal end with a bung perforator as described herein, the method comprising the steps of: - advancing a tip of the mandrel through the anal opening and rectal end of the animal carcass; - creating contact between the bung holder and the skin of the carcass around the anal opening; - perforating the area around the anal opening and a portion of the rectal end with a cutting blade of a perforation tube; - creating a first volume within the bung holder and a second volume within the perforation tube and outside the bung holder while preventing, at least during perforation, passage of feces from the first volume into the second volume.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the method may be carried out by a bung perforator as described herein. In a more preferred embodiment, the bung perforator comprises suction means capable of sucking air from the interior of the mandrel and / or from the interior of the perforation tube and / or from the interior of the bung holder. In a more preferred embodiment, air is sucked from the first volume to the second volume or from the first volume to the interior of the mandrel. A further preferred method is one in which the suction means sucks air only from the volume of the mandrel, which volume is in contact with the first volume and / or the second volume. The different functions of the bung perforator described herein are as explained in the description of the figures.

[0022] In one embodiment, the function of the bung perforator is not to create a vacuum inside the bung perforator. In another embodiment of this method, a vacuum is created in a second volume within the perforation tube. In a further embodiment of this method, a vacuum is created in a first volume within the bung holder. The first volume is preferably evacuated by evacuating the interior volume of the mandrel. In another embodiment of this method, a vacuum is created in the first volume and the second volume.

[0023] In one embodiment of the method, the severed rectal end is dropped or otherwise directed inside the carcass.

[0024] In one embodiment of the method, the anal opening and rectal end are disconnected and a vacuum is maintained in the first volume and / or the second volume within the bung holder, such that the rectal end is retained within the perforation tube, the bung perforator holding the rectal end can be removed from the carcass, and the rectal end can be sent to a location outside and near the carcass for further processing, such as wrapping with a closure material.

[0025] A third aspect of the invention relates to a bung drilling system comprising: a robot having at least one industrial manipulator, such as a robotic arm; - at least one bung drilling machine as described herein connected to at least one industrial manipulator; - at least one vision system for acquiring image data of the carcass in an area outside the anal opening; - at least one processor configured to process the obtained image data and to calculate control information based on information comprising the image data; - at least one control device configured to receive at least control information from the at least one processor and to control at least one industrial manipulator, such as at least one robotic arm, and at least one bung punch to process the animal carcass.

[0026] Different items may be included in the bung drilling system, for example as a robot, an industrial manipulator, a robot arm, a vision system, a processor and a control device. A person skilled in the art knows such different systems and how they should be connected to obtain image data, process such data and control a robot or a robot arm to form a system for processing an animal carcass with a bung drill as described herein. The number of axes or degrees of freedom in which the industrial manipulator can operate may be set depending on whether the animal carcass is in transport or not, for example during the process from when the system starts to identify the location of the anal opening until the bung drill is removed after the drilling process. Thus, the industrial manipulator may be an industrial manipulator operating with a number of degrees of freedom that are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, depending on the setup. Preference is given to at least 2 degrees of freedom, for example at least 4 degrees of freedom.

[0027] From the image data it is possible to obtain different information, for example information about the position and size of the anal opening, the tail, sex, etc., which is included in the image processing and based on which it is possible to calculate where to place the bung punch and how to control the industrial manipulator to cut around the anal opening.

[0028] In one embodiment of the system, the industrial manipulator may be capable of functioning with, for example, 3 degrees of freedom, such as, for example, 5 degrees of freedom, such as being a 6-axis robotic manipulator.

[0029] In one embodiment of the system, the system comprises at least one washing cabinet for washing the bung perforators after use. Preferably, such washing cabinet comprises a water connection, a soap applicator, a heating device and / or a drying device. Water may be applied via a water connection in connection to hot water, whereby the heating device and the soap applicator may be located outside the washing cabinet. The skilled person knows the requirements of washing devices in slaughterhouses.

[0030] In one embodiment of the system, the at least one cleaning cabinet is connected to at least one industrial manipulator, such as a robotic arm, such that one industrial manipulator or robotic arm can hold at least one bung punch and the cleaning cabinet, and the bung punch can be cleaned after contacting the carcass.

[0031] In one embodiment of the system, at least one industrial manipulator or robotic arm includes at least two bung punches and at least one cleaning cabinet. In this design, one industrial manipulator or robotic arm can hold two bung punches and a cleaning cabinet, and the bung punches can be cleaned after contacting the carcass, allowing one bung punch to function while the other bung punch is being cleaned.

[0032] Two or more bung drills, for example three or four, may be arranged on one industrial manipulator or robot arm, or may be combined with one, two or three cleaning cabinets.

[0033] In one embodiment of the system, two industrial manipulators, such as robotic arms, each holding at least one bang drill are positioned in the system.

[0034] In one embodiment of the system, a fixed knife may be positioned within the system to cut the meat ventral to the anal opening, which may be performed prior to removing the bang from the carcass by pulling the cut away bang ventral to the carcass.

[0035] Features described herein with respect to any aspect or figure may be combined with embodiments of other aspects. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0036] Next, the embodiment of the present invention will be further described with reference to the drawings.

[0037] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a prior art method of cutting a bung. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a bang drilling machine according to the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a bung punch without a punch tube. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section of a bung drill. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows the bung punch with the mandrel in the advanced position. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows the bung punch with the mandrel in the intermediate position. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows the bung punch with the mandrel in the retracted position. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a bung drilling method without the use of a vacuum. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows a bung drilling method using a vacuum. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows the vacuum created within the Bang punch and the direction of air flow drawn by the vacuum. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 shows another way in which a vacuum can be created in a bang punch and the direction of air flow drawn by the vacuum. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 illustrates yet another method by which a vacuum can be created in a bang punch and the direction of air flow drawn by the vacuum. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a prior art bung cutting method. A bung perforator 1 is positioned outside the periphery of the anal opening 2 of a carcass 3. The front end of the mandrel 4 of the bung perforator 1 is positioned within the intestinal / rectal end 5 of the animal carcass. Inside the bung perforator 1, a vacuum (not shown) is established to prevent the skin 9 of the carcass 3 from being forced into the carcass 3 by the force applied by the bung perforator 1 to the skin 4 during cutting. Normal or atmospheric pressure (not shown) exists at the skin 9 outside the bung perforator 1, and normal air pressure also exists inside the carcass 3. Due to the vacuum inside the bung perforator 1, the intestinal walls 6 are sucked into the bung perforator 1, where they are everted and opened, and manure 7 (shown enclosed) may leak from the intestines 5 into the space inside the bung perforator 1, where it may contaminate the skin 9 located inside the bung perforator 1.

[0040] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a bung puncher 10 according to the present invention. Shown is a punch tube 11 surrounding a mandrel 12 with a bung holder 13 disposed therebetween. The bung holder 13 has teeth 14 which are capable of engaging the hide around the anal opening of the carcass. An opening 15 is disposed within the mandrel 12. The bung puncher 10 can be attached at a rear end 16 to a robotic tool (not shown).

[0041] Figure 3 shows the bung punch machine 10 of Figure 2 without the punch tube 11. Shown is a mandrel 12 having an opening 15 and a bung holder 13 having teeth 14. The bung holder 13 is connected to a tubular piston 17 that is disposed around the mandrel 12.

[0042] FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal cut of a bung perforator 10 according to the invention. Shown is a perforation tube 11 surrounding a mandrel 12, between which is arranged a bung holder 13 attached to a piston 17. The bung holder 13 has teeth 14 that can engage with the skin around the anal opening of the carcass. An opening 15 is arranged in the mandrel 12. Also shown is a cutting edge 18, or edge, of the perforation tube 11, a volume 19 inside the mandrel 12, and a second volume 20 inside the perforation tube 11. The first volume 21 is located inside the bung holder 13 and, when the bung perforator is functioning, can establish a vacuum, preferably independently of the vacuum in the second volume 20. The rearmost opening of the mandrel, in front of which the end of the mandrel is located (i.e. the opening inside the bung holder), is preferably connected to the second volume 20. As described elsewhere, suction means (not shown) can be connected to the mandrel and / or the perforated tube to suck air from the volume within the perforated tube and / or from the second volume 20 within the perforated tube.

[0043] Figure 5 shows a longitudinal section of the bung perforator 10 with the mandrel 12 in the forward position. In this position, the bung perforator 10 is ready to be inserted into the anal opening of the carcass, and the outer part of the mandrel 12, i.e. the front part of the perforation tube 11, can be inserted into the anal opening. This is preferably done without a vacuum on the bung perforator 10. The teeth 14 of the bung holder 13, if present, are in a position ready to engage with the hide surface around the anal opening of the carcass. Inside the bung holder 13 is arranged a first volume 21 in which a vacuum can be established independently of the vacuum in the second volume 20 when the bung perforator is functioning.

[0044] Figure 6 shows the bung drill 10 of Figure 5 with the mandrel 12 in an intermediate position, where the cutting blade 18 of the drill tube 11 is cutting into the carcass around the anal opening and rectal end. The cutting is performed by rotation of the drill 11 by a motor (not shown) and a vacuum may be created in the first volume and / or the second volume.

[0045] Figure 7 shows the bung perforator 10 of Figures 5 and 6 with the mandrel 12 in the retracted position. This is the position where the cuts around the anal opening and rectal end are finally made inside the carcass. The severed and separated rectal end can be allowed to drop into the carcass by turning off the suction (if present in the bung perforator), thereby eliminating the vacuum. However, the severed rectal end is held inside the perforation tube 11 by the vacuum, and the rectal end, together with the perforation tube 11, can also be pulled out of the carcass and handled outside the carcass.

[0046] 8 illustrates a method of bung perforation without vacuum. Shown is the situation just before the perforation tube 11 starts perforating the skin 24 and then the carcass 25 around the anus or intestinal wall 26 and the intestinal / rectal end 23. In this state, the cutting blade 18 is located on the skin 24 on the outside of the carcass 25. The tip of the mandrel 12 is advanced into the anus opening and intestinal / rectal end 23 surrounded by the intestinal wall 26 so that the teeth 14 of the bung holder 13 are located outside the skin 24 of the carcass 25. A first volume 21 is provided inside the bung holder 13 towards the skin 24 and surrounds the mandrel 12. The second volume 20 is provided outside the skin 24 of the carcass 25 between the bung holder 13 and the perforated tube 11, which surrounds the bung holder 13, such that the second volume 20 surrounds the bung holder 13 and a part of the mandrel 12. The bung holder 13 does not have any openings through which the feces 22 can pass, such that the first volume 21 and the second volume 20 are separated from each other. The feces 22 are shown as small dots inside the intestinal / rectal end 23, around the tip of the mandrel 12 and inside the first volume 21 provided by the bung holder 13. The first function of the bung holder 13 is to perform the application of a force to the outside of the skin 24 so that the edge of the anal opening, i.e. the intestinal wall 26 at the level of the skin 24, does not evert, and so that an amount of fecal material 22 passes through the tip of the mandrel 12 and escapes out of the intestinal / rectal end 23 via the anal opening. A second function of the bung holder 13 is to retain feces 22 that may escape through the anal opening within the first volume 21 such that the area of ​​the hide 24 that may be contaminated by feces 22 is significantly reduced compared to prior art systems. Although the method is described as being performed without a vacuum, it can be improved by including suction means for sucking air from the second volume 20. Such a vacuum created on the outside of the hide 24 can enhance the quality of the cut by making a cleaner cut around the anal opening and rectal end.

[0047] FIG. 9 illustrates the method of bung perforation using a vacuum. The method using a vacuum can be carried out in three different ways. Shown is a similar situation to FIG. 8, i.e. the perforation tube 11 starts perforating the hide 24 and then just before starting perforating the carcass 25 around the anal opening and intestine / rectum end 23. In this state, the cutting blade 18 is located on the outside of the carcass 25 and on the hide 24. The tip of the mandrel 12 is advanced into the anal opening and intestine / rectum end 23 so that the teeth 14 of the bung holder 13 are located outside the hide 24 of the carcass 25. A first volume 21 is provided inside the bung holder 13 towards the hide 24 and surrounds the mandrel 12. The second volume 20 is provided outside the skin 24 of the carcass 25 between the bung holder 13 and the perforated tube 11, which surrounds the bung holder 13 such that the second volume 20 surrounds the bung holder 13 and a portion of the mandrel 12. Between the first and second volumes, there is no opening in the bung holder 13 through which feces 22 can pass, thereby separating the first volume 21 and the second volume 20 from each other. The mandrel 12 includes an open interior volume 28 and an opening 15 located within the bung holder 13 in the mandrel 12 in the area where the bung holder contacts the outside of the carcass skin 24 to form the first volume 21. A vacuum creating system (not shown) is part of the bung perforator and is configured and controlled to create a vacuum inside the second volume 20 and / or inside the internal volume 28 of the mandrel, which is in communication with the first volume 21 due to the openings in the mandrel 12, so that a vacuum can also be established inside the first volume 21. The bung perforator may be designed without or with the internal volume 28 of the mandrel 12, so that the bung perforator can create a vacuum only in the second volume 20, only in the first volume 21, or in both the first volume 21 and the second volume 20. Feces 22 are illustrated as small dots inside the intestinal / rectal end 23 and inside the first volume 21 provided by the bung holder 13. Some of the functions of the bung holder 13 have been described in connection with FIG.A vacuum creating system makes it possible to create a vacuum by drawing air inside the second volume 20 and / or inside the inner volume 28 of the mandrel 12 in the direction indicated by the arrow 27, which also creates a vacuum inside the first volume 21 through the opening 15 of the mandrel 12.

[0048] The bung holder 13 holds the skin 24 in place around the anal opening as described with reference to FIG. 8. By virtue of the vacuum created in the second volume 21 and the internal volume 28 of the mandrel 12, the feces 22 can be removed from the second volume 21 through the internal volume 28 of the mandrel 12 and removed from the bung perforator. The vacuum in the second volume 20 creates a counterhold on the skin 24 as described with reference to FIG. 8. The bung perforation system hereby performs a counterhold on the skin 24 created by the vacuum in the second volume 20 to minimize the effect of the forces created by the perforation tube 11 during the perforation process while at the same time reducing the area of ​​the skin 24 at risk of being contaminated by feces 22 by the bung holder 13 and allowing the vacuum established in the internal volume 28 and thus in the first volume 21 to remove at least a portion of the feces 22 located in the first volume 21.

[0049] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the bung perforator where the opening of the mandrel is not located inside the bung holder 13. The opening 15 is located only in front of the bung holder 13, i.e. in the part that contacts the rectal end of the animal. The bung perforator is located inside the rectal end of the animal together with the mandrel. Just before and during the cutting process, the hide 24 is pulled by vacuum towards the cutting blade 18 and the bung holder 13, establishing a first closed volume 21 inside the bung holder 13 and a second closed volume 20 inside the perforation tube, the second volume 20 surrounding the mandrel. "Closed" here means that the hide closes the open end of the bung holder 13 and the open end of the perforation tube 11. Suction means (not shown) connected to the base of the perforation tube 11 draws air through the opening 15 located inside the rectal end, thereby creating a vacuum in the volume 19 inside the mandrel, through which the air is sucked. Air located in the second volume 20 around the mandrel is sucked away from the front end of the bung punch by suction means (not shown). Air in the first volume 21 is sucked through valve 29 into the second volume 20 and removed. The arrows indicate the path through which air is sucked. In this embodiment, no opening is located between the second volume 20 and the volume 19 inside the mandrel.

[0050] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of the bung perforator in which an opening 15 is arranged in the mandrel inside the bung holder 13 between the volume 19 and the first volume 21. Suction means (not shown) connected to the base of the perforation tube 11 create a vacuum in the volume 19 inside the mandrel and suck air through the opening 15 located inside the rectal end, which is sucked through the mandrel 19. The air in the first volume 21 is sucked through the opening 15 located inside the bung holder 13 into the volume 19 inside the mandrel. The air located in the second volume 20 around the mandrel is sucked away from the front end of the bung perforator by the suction means (not shown). The arrows show the path along which the air is sucked. In this embodiment, no opening is arranged between the second volume 20 and the volume 19 inside the mandrel.

[0051] FIG. 12 illustrates yet another way in which a vacuum can be established in the bung perforator and the direction of air flow drawn by the vacuum. Suction means (not shown) connected to the base of the perforation tube 11 draws a vacuum in the volume 19 inside the mandrel, drawing air from the rectal end through the mandrel 19 through the opening 15, and also drawing air from the first volume 21 through an opening located between the first volume 21 and the volume 19 located in the mandrel. Valves 29 located between the volume 19 inside the mandrel and the second volume 20 are used to draw a vacuum in the second volume 20 so that the air in the second volume is drawn through these valves into the volume 19 and removed. The air in the first volume 21 is drawn through the opening 15 located in the bung holder 13 into the volume 19 inside the mandrel and removed. The arrows indicate the direction in which the air is drawn. It is also possible to manufacture a bung perforator that only has openings 15 surrounded by the bung holder 13, i.e., no openings 15 in contact with the inside of the rectal end of the carcass as shown in the figures. For such an embodiment, when aspirating air leaving the carcass, there may be openings only between the first volume 21 and the volume inside the mandrel 19, or only between the second volume 20 and the volume inside the mandrel 19, or both of these types of openings, and different flow directions may be established depending on how the valve 29 allows the air to pass.

Claims

1. A bung punch (1) for cutting off the anal opening and the rectal end of a carcass by cutting around the anal opening and the rectal end, comprising: an elongated perforated tube (11) capable of holding a pressure differential relative to the outside and having an open cut end (18); a mandrel (12) centrally located within a perforated tube (11); a bung holder (13) located within the perforated tube (11) and surrounding at least a portion of the mandrel (12); Including, At least one air valve (29) is disposed within the bung holder between a first volume (21) within the bung holder and a second volume (20) within the perforated tube; Bang drilling machine.

2. The bung holder has a retaining means (14) engageable with the exterior of the carcass.

2. The bung drilling machine of claim 1.

3. The bung holder is capable of rotating around the mandrel.

3. The bang drilling machine according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The bung holder can slide axially within the perforated tube, or the bung holder and mandrel can slide axially together within the perforated tube. The bung drilling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A portion of the bung holder contacts the mandrel, the bung holder defining a first volume (21) inside the bung holder. The bung drilling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The mandrel is a hollow circular tube and includes an opening (15) at least in a portion of the area from the tip of the mandrel to where the bung holder contacts the mandrel. The bung drilling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. further comprising suction means capable of sucking air from the interior of the mandrel and / or from the interior of the perforated tube and / or from the interior of the bung holder; The bung drilling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A method for decapitating an animal carcass around the anal opening and rectal end by cutting around the anal opening and rectal end with a bang punch as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising: advancing a tip of the mandrel through the anal opening and rectal end of the animal carcass; creating contact between the bung holder and the skin of the carcass around the anal opening; perforating the area around the anal opening and a portion of the rectal end with a cutting blade of a perforation tube; creating a first volume within the bung holder and a second volume within the perforated tube and outside the bung holder while preventing feces from passing from the first volume into the second volume at least during perforation; The method includes:

9. A vacuum is created inside the mandrel, and / or in a second volume within the perforated tube, and / or in a first volume within the bung holder. The method according to claim 8.

10. By drawing air only from the mandrel, a vacuum is created inside the mandrel, in a first volume within the bung holder, and in a second volume within the perforated tube.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9.

11. A bang drilling system comprising: a robot having at least one industrial manipulator; At least one bung drilling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, connected to at least one industrial manipulator; at least one vision system for acquiring image data of the carcass in an area outside the anal opening; at least one processor configured to process the obtained image data and to calculate control information based on information including the image data; at least one control device configured to receive at least control information from the at least one processor and to control the at least one industrial manipulator and the at least one bung punch to process the at least one animal carcass; A system including:

12. The industrial manipulator is a robot capable of operating with at least two degrees of freedom. The system of claim 11.

13. Including at least one cleaning cabinet for cleaning the bang drill after use.

13. A system according to claim 11 or 12.

14. At least one cleaning cabinet is connected to at least one industrial manipulator. The system of claim 13.

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